Music brings out the best in Candy Chang, and helping others is her favorite tune. An outstanding student and poised musician, the 18-year-old Kent woman is comfortable on stage. She also feels right at home in making a difference in her community.

Martina Akumdi Lekwauwa genuinely helps others. It's just her nature, her personality as a longtime nurse and midwife – a career that began in her native Nigeria where she cared for the poor and disadvantaged and continued, most recently, with the Seattle & King County Public Health Department serving Seattle's High Point housing community.

As far as Kent mayoral candidate Dana Ralph is concerned, the diverse crowd of well wishers who came to her official campaign kickoff event Thursday represents a foundation, the start of something big.

A lingering strike is taking its toll on 85 Davis Wire mill employees in Kent and their families who joined labor and religious leaders and elected officials to voice their dismay with the impasse at an emotional community rally Tuesday.